Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

My bigger birds are all smart, they stay under the porch, where it’s warm on days like today. I brought Jaffar in for some time alone with him.

 

[MaryJanet]

I picked up some B complex and a bag of prawns and some frozen white fish for her today. She eats a lot but for some reason she still loses weight. The business with Cillin and Treacle has been stressful for her, Mel and me, the younger hens aren't that bothered.
She's a pensioner now in her early eighties by human standards. I'm not expecting any astounding improvements.

Poor Fatbird. But she couldn't be in better hands.

 

[Ribh]

I picked up some B complex and a bag of prawns and some frozen white fish for her today. She eats a lot but for some reason she still loses weight. The business with Cillin and Treacle has been stressful for her, Mel and me, the younger hens aren't that bothered.
She's a pensioner now in her early eighties by human standards. I'm not expecting any astounding improvements.

She's in good hands with you. Fat Bird is one lucky lady!

 

[Cynthia12]

And some guidance / watching over by someone is needed, isn't it? Some chicks get all frightened and stressed when suddenly outside and need to be shown where to go to warm up, where the food and water is, etc. Like replicating what they know from their brooder time, but in the new environment. They have the flocking together instinct but I think a lot is taught...some chicks might just pile up together and die otherwise. Availability of time to supervise & fill that broody hen role is important, imo

I agree! I certainly keep an eye out on mine when they go to the outside pen..for sure. Waiting for temps to rise here.

 

[Cynthia12]

I picked up some B complex and a bag of prawns and some frozen white fish for her today. She eats a lot but for some reason she still loses weight. The business with Cillin and Treacle has been stressful for her, Mel and me, the younger hens aren't that bothered.
She's a pensioner now in her early eighties by human standards. I'm not expecting any astounding improvements.

 

[MaryJanet]

Your hope was fullfilled tonight Bob. After I had given her injection and a generous helping of prawns on coconut rice she and Cillin headed up to the coop. When I went to do my pre close up check she was not just on a roost bar, she was on the higher of the two. Bum still a bit down but balanced with her toes more or less spread right.

Awww that's really good to know!

 

[Ribh]

Your hope was fullfilled tonight Bob. After I had given her injection and a generous helping of prawns on coconut rice she and Cillin headed up to the coop. When I went to do my pre close up check she was not just on a roost bar, she was on the higher of the two. Bum still a bit down but balanced with her toes more or less spread right.

She's a special lady for sure!

 

[MaryJanet]

I have a scenario I would like your opinions on.
From what I can tell the pecking order here is Bok then Belle and Snow is last. Snow is the biggest but also least assertive.
The last few days I have noticed Belle squaring up and giving Snow 1 or 2 pecks on the head. Snow doesn’t fight back, lowers her head and cops it and then removes herself from the area.
Is it possible that Belle can sense Snow’s maturing to lay and feels she has to assert herself more to keep her position or that she is just being the enforcer (bitch) so Bokky doesn’t have to, she’s just being a good number 2?
Thoughts?

It might be a simple affirmation of the pecking order. I've seen the second hen do a lot of pecks while the top hen gets on with life.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

The day has come

I dread these days as I wish she would just stop. She is more valuable to me than anything she might lay. After 5 days of continuous complaining, Lilly is laying an egg as I write this. She started in the prime nest box.

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She spent quite a bit of time trying to fix the mess everyone else had made of that nest box.

She decided in the end that it could not be fixed and is in the center box now.

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I'm so nervous. I need this to go well.

I picked "Love" for your post but it's really a Hugs to you for your (and our) worry.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Success!

We have an egg and Lilly is fine!

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Her eggs are so pale that this one looked white in the nest box. She used to lay very pretty brown eggs. Not Maran dark brown mind you but legitimately brown. This one is also long and pointy. Her normal egg was much more round. It's funny how age affects their eggs. I am just sort relieved that she was able to deliver successfully. The yard is also quiet right now. No more continuous bawking!

Trying to grab @MaryJanet so she knows.

Recall the meaning of the phrase, as it applies here? Lilly was "safely delivered" of the egg.